The China in Africa Podcast

In this discussion, François Godement and Pierre Pinhas from Institut Montaigne unpack the geopolitical shifts stemming from recent U.S. policies. They examine the implications for China's global strategy, predicting four potential scenarios for 2035. Key topics include the shifting dynamics in West Africa with China's growing influence, Europe's identity crisis amid changing alliances, and the necessity for African nations to engage in strategic planning regarding China's role. The conversation highlights how these elements reshape global diplomacy and the balance of power.

Brooke Escobar and Katherine Walsh from AidData dive into China's commanding lead in the transition minerals trade. They discuss the Democratic Republic of Congo's recent cobalt export suspension and its global implications. The duo examines China's $57 billion investments across 19 countries, highlighting its strategic financing methods. They debunk myths surrounding Chinese mining practices in Africa and contrast China's aggressive loan strategies with the more restrained approaches of Western nations, revealing the complexities in the global mineral landscape.

John Lee, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Switzerland, delves into the transformative power of Chinese technology in the Global South. He discusses the launch of DeepSeek, a disruptive AI platform, and its implications for the global market. Lee explores how open-source AI can democratize technology access in less-developed nations. He also highlights the growing dominance of Chinese electric vehicles in Southeast Asia, examining competition for local manufacturers and the impact of advanced technologies on regional automotive landscapes.

The U.S.-China relationship is at a critical inflection point as Donald Trump tries to reset ties with his counterpart Xi Jinping. The U.S. President has repeatedly said he wants to negotiate a comprehensive trade agreement that would, in his view, lead to a dramatic de-escalation of tensions. Unsurprisingly, China Hawks, many in his own government, are skeptical that Trump will get what he wants from Xi. Regardless, reverberations from the U.S.-China conflict are felt far beyond the borders of these two countries, particularly in Africa, Asia, and across the Global South. Veteran journalist Jane Perlez joins Eric & Cobus to discuss the new season of her popular podcast, "Faceoff: The U.S. vs. China" and the key trends policymakers everywhere should focus on. SHOW NOTES: Listen to Faceoff: U.S. vs. China on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

At last week's Munich Security Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi touted his country's 5% economic growth last year as a "benefit to the world" thanks to all of the trade it does with countries around the world. While countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, among other regions, are no doubt selling more raw materials to China, critics contend, though, that this trade pattern isn't healthy and mostly in China's favor. This week, Eric, Cobus, and Géraud debate whether Chinese trade is helping or hurting developing countries and whether China's role as the world's manufacturer is also the primary reason why poor countries remain stuck at the bottom of the industrial value chain. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Nkateko Mabasa, a Johannesburg-based political analyst, delves into the complexities of South Africa's geopolitical dilemma. He discusses the mounting pressure from the U.S. for South Africa to choose between American and Chinese alliances. The conversation highlights the implications for South Africa's economy and trade, particularly regarding the auto industry and mineral exports. Mabasa also elaborates on the impact of BRICS and BRI initiatives on Pretoria's strategic choices, as well as the country's challenges navigating international relations amidst rising tensions.

This discussion dives into the narratives surrounding China's role in Africa, often framed as neo-colonial exploitation by Western perspectives. It questions who gets to narrate the China-Africa story, emphasizing the need for authentic African voices in the conversation. The podcast also explores the geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, alongside critical mineral strategies impacting global markets. The complexities of these relationships and the historical context of land ownership issues are critically examined.

The Trump administration's decision to issue a 90-day freeze on most foreign assistance around the world will have a disproportionate impact on a number of African countries that rely heavily on U.S. aid. The State Department's "stop work" order has led to the immediate termination of hundreds of aid programs across the continent, notably the hugely successful AIDS mitigation initiative known as PEPFAR. Governments are now scrambling to try and find other sources of funding in a bid to salvage some of these programs. Now, with the U.S. pulling back from its decades-old humanitarian assistance programs in Africa, China may be among the few beneficiaries. Paul Nantulya, a senior research associate at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, and Paa-Kwesi Heto, a policy analyst at the University of California, Irvine, join Eric & Cobus to discuss how the Trump administration's strategy may be good politics at home but potentially counterproductive in countering China abroad. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

In this discussion, Alonso Illueca, an associate law professor at the Universidad Santa María La Antigua and expert on China-Panama relations, dives into the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Panama Canal. He explains how Trump's pressure on Panama could inadvertently strengthen China's influence there. The complexities of Panamanian sovereignty versus U.S. involvement are explored, alongside the strategic responses of Latin American nations navigating these turbulent waters. Illueca also addresses the implications of U.S. aid cuts and shifting alliances in the Global South.

Donald Trump roared back into power this week, signing dozens of executive orders on his first day that upended large parts of the U.S. foreign policy agenda. The president withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization, the Paris Climate Accords and froze all new foreign aid initiatives. Ronak Gopaldas, a director at the African risk intelligence service Signal Risk and a fellow at the London School of Economics, joins Eric & Cobus to discuss how the dramatic changes that took place in Washington this week impact African countries and China's diplomacy on the continent. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth